Published Nov 25, 2024 ??? Last updated Nov 25, 2024 ??? 1 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
At just nine months old, Kellen Schleyer was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. His family was told to prepare for the worst, being told he wouldn’t be able to walk or talk. On Wednesday evening Schleyer took the stage to express how that took a completely different direction, which he credits to the work he did at CHEO.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
Article content
The CHEO Gala, presented by TD Bank Group, made a spectacular return to the National Gallery of Canada on Nov. 20, raising an impressive $270,000 for children and youth with multiple physical and developmental disabilities. This annual event, attended by over 350 of Ottawa’s corporate and community leaders, showcased the unwavering support for CHEO’s development and rehabilitation programs.
Advertisement 2
Story continues below
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.
Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.
Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
Support local journalism.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
Enjoy additional articles per month.
Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account
Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
The evening’s theme, celebrating CHEO’s 50th anniversary, highlighted the hospital’s growth and its pivotal role in pediatric health care. Guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner while bidding on unique live and silent auction items. Among the most coveted was a pair of Taylor Swift concert tickets, which went for $18,888. A second pair was sold for $6,000 to Howard Silver, a generous donor who bid in support of CHEO rather than as a Swiftie fan.
The event featured inspiring stories, including one from Kellen Schleyer, a 23-year-old Ottawa man diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby. Doctors had predicted he would never walk or talk, but Schleyer defied those odds, earning a diploma in social services and excelling in adaptive sports like power wheelchair ball hockey. His story of perseverance and the support he received from CHEO’s clinical staff and specialized programs was a highlight of the evening, drawing a standing ovation from attendees.
Funds raised from the gala will help children like Schleyer reach their full potential by supporting CHEO’s ongoing programs and its monumental redevelopment campaign, Kids These Days, which aims to raise $220 million. As CHEO continues to evolve, it remains dedicated to providing critical care to over 500,000 children across eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut.
The CHEO Gala volunteer committee, from left: Allison Capello, Dr. Hana Alazem, Natasha Macmillan, Emily Jamieson, Nik Lemieux, Melissa Lamb and Caitlin Neil.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia From left: Kyle and Rachel Bratz, co-chairs of the Kids These Days campaign; Ainsley Malhotra, board chair of the CHEO Foundation; and Neil Malhotra, co-chair of the Kids These Days campaign.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia CHEO families, members of the Ottawa Senators Community Foundation and the co-chairs of the Kids These Days campaign shared some smiles in the popular photo booth.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Dr. Lindy Samson, CHEO’s interim CEO and president, along with Steve Read, CHEO Foundation president and CEO.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Kellen Schleyer posed for a photograph with his parents Kevin Schleyer and Kelli Tonner.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Seven-year-old Jordan Ahee was all smiles at dinner while watching the Kids These Days commercial that he was a part of.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Seven-year-old Malakai Ferreira was excited to receive raffle tickets from Steve Read, CHEO Foundation president and CEO.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer with his wife Lucie Andlauer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia From left: George Dalal, vice-president, region head of branch banking at TD Canada Trust; Lee Rose, community engagement manager at TD Bank Group; and Jody Beaupre, vice-president and region head at TD Wealth Private Wealth Management.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Howard Silver, president of The Silver Group, got a hug from family friend Stephanie Appotive, co-owner of Howard Fine Jewellers, after purchasing a live auction item. Silver also showed his support for CHEO with the winning bid on a pair of VIP Taylor Swift tickets.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia From left: Bibbi Alfredsson; Lianne Laing, president of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation; and Louise Malhotra, co-founder and director of the Malhotra Family Foundation.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Katrina Bussey, vice-president of strategy and communications at the CHEO Foundation, and Anick Losier, CHEO’s chief branding and communications officer.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia CHEO is launching a major expansion to meet the growing demand for specialized pediatric care, with the hospital serving over 500,000 children annually across eastern and northern Ontario, western Quebec and Nunavut.Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
If you know of someone doing something exceptional to help, we would love to share their story. Please send details to socialscene@postmedia.comand we will be in touch.
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.